Category Archives: Kitchen Benchtops

When installing new laminate benchtops it is all too easy to chip the bare edge of a join, especially if it is awkward to get into position. If this happens it can be quite difficult, if not impossible to rectify and the only way is to replace the section. If you have a match head size chip in a 3 metre long section this can be very expensive, not to mention wasteful. This is one of the downsides to installing benchtops.

There are people that manufacture “repair” products such as colour crayons which are made from wax and there is also something called ‘Liquid laminate’ which comes in various colours. I have experimented with most methods but none of them restore the laminate anywhere near original, you may as well just use a matching colour of paint. If you have a matt finish and you use the wax crayons the repaired area will develop a shine from the buffing action of wiping the benches and will become very noticeable over a short period.

The bottom line is that you need to be very careful handling the tops and if you chip them you need to replace them. I don’t expect my customers to live with a repaired ‘chip’ when they purchase new benchtops from me.

I have developed a system for minimising the risk of chipping by placing masking tape all around the exposed join and leaving it there until the last moment, peeling it off just prior to gluing and sealing the join. I’ve used this method many times now and haven’t chipped any of my installs.

I’m in a very busy period, which is really good. I’ve been mainly working for homeowners doing various things and I like it because they always pay promptly. Commercial is a whole different thing, they are always very slow at paying and need a few prompts to fork over what they owe. I’m chasing a […]

Ok I learned my lesson and that is don’t look on Bunnings website for things and then go to the store expecting those things to actually be there. Twice this week while I have been on jobs I have had to search for a quickly needed item and found it on their website so off […]

A good supplier of new security doors is K&B in Meadowbrook. They make all types of security door to any size required. I am currently replacing some older style security screen doors on a house in Sunnybank. They are not the standard size and the old doors were hitting on the main door handle so […]

We all know about Bunnings, they’re just about everywhere. I buy materials from them all the time because they are handy for my handyman business, I can always duck to bunnings to get what I need fairly quickly from wherever I am working. There is a way of getting a discount on all your stuff […]

These days you need a website for your business. According to recent surveys 89% of people search for things on the internet, so I think advertising in the local rag will be a bit disappointing. I have just built my website (from youtube lessons) and I think it has turned out pretty well for a […]

When installing new laminate benchtops it is all too easy to chip the bare edge of a join, especially if it is awkward to get into position. If this happens it can be quite difficult, if not impossible to rectify and the only way is to replace the section. If you have a match head […]

“Handyform” in kingston have been a recent supplier of my benchtops. They can supply any laminate on the Aussie market and they do a reasonable job of machining the joins. Due to the nature of some cabinets the joins need a little bit of tweeking to fit nicely but this is only natural.